Mexican restaurants: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Morris County

Cinco de Mayo, just like St. Patrick's Day, is a holiday that seems to get more attention here in the United States than it does in the country we're celebrating.

The fifth of May marks a day during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862 when the Mexican militia defeated the French army. The victory is celebrated in the city of Puebla, where the battle took place, and in some other parts of Mexico. But the celebrations aren't grand, and the day isn't even a federal holiday.

Here on American soil, Cinco de Mayo has become a day to celebrate the history, culture, and perhaps most importantly, the food of Mexico. And there are plenty of places where you can dive into a plate of the country's best cuisine while honoring our neighbors to the South.

Who knew victory could taste so good?

MEXICAN RESTAURANTS IN MORRIS

Ann Marie BarronCorrespondent

Whether you like to eat Mexican food on the run or prefer to sit back and savor the flavor surrounded by authentic music in a festive atmosphere, Morris County has plenty of options.

At Tito's Burrito's and Wings in Morristown, patrons place their orders at the counter, then take a seat while their food is prepared and delivered to their table in short order.

The Bird is the Word Burrito is a fan favorite at Tito's, said manager Chris Conklin. "It has a little of everything in it," he said. "Rice and beans, cheese, Pico de Gallo, guacamole made daily, sour cream and chicken." Most of the burritos are priced below $10 and come with a side of tortilla chips, fried in-house.

Tito's also has a popular salsa bar, featuring mild and medium salsas, Salsa Verde and even Pickled Jalapenos. The dining room seats 25 people and prices range from $4 for tacos and up to $10 for steak and shrimp burritos.

"We have a little of everything," Conklin said, noting that they recently added six different flavors of chicken wings to their menu. Tito's is located at 26 Washington St. and can be reached at tel. 973-267-8486. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and stays open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are noon to 8 p.m.

For a more leisurely meal, Don Jose's Netcong and East Hanover locations give you a taste of homemade Mexican fare, complete with authentic music and imported décor.

"Most of our customers have visited Mexico and they really know what to expect," said Samuel Arceo, who owns the restaurants with his brothers and sisters and continues a tradition his family began when they opened their first restaurant in 1970 in Mexico. "They know we are authentic."

Arceo and his family treat you like kin, a fact that separates his restaurants from the rest, he said. The homemade guacamole, Chiles Rellenos, tamales and salsa please even the most particular customer, he said.

The dining rooms feature brilliant handmade furnishings from Mexico and entertainment is available on weekends. It's the freshness that brings people back, Arceo said. "We don't use anything frozen," he said. "We serve good quality steaks and shrimp. In our steak burrito, the meat is grilled for you, then chopped and put in the burrito."

A well-staffed kitchen keeps the wait time down, he said, and fresh guacamole is prepared several times a day to keep up with demand. And the staff likes to fuss over its customers, he said. "The whole family personally takes care of our customers," he said. "You'll feel like you are family, eating fresh grilled food in your own backyard."

Don Jose's in Netcong is located at 124 US Highway 46, tel. 973-527-7330. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. There is entertainment on Fridays and on Cinco de Mayo.

In East Hanover, the address is 200 Route 10; tel. 973-781-0155. The hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday; noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. They have live entertainment 6 to 9 p.m Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.donjosemexican.com for more information.

Flavorful Mexican fare is available at several other Morris County venues. Other choices include:

Rattlesnake Cantina, Denville

559 East Main St., Denville, tel. 973-586-3800; www.rattlesnakeranchcafe.com

A cheerful, colorful dining room opens up to a bright outdoor patio at the Rattlesnake Cantina, where Tex-Mex specialties are served up alongside more American-style fare.

Entrees range in price from $12.99 to $15.99 for Tex-Mex specials. House favorites include South of the Border Chicken, a specialty featuring chicken sautéed with onions, garlic, green peppers, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, cheddar cheese and sour cream, served over penne past for $15.99.

Another popular choice is Country Fried Alligator, offered for $20.99 with mashed potatoes and corn. "Everybody likes it," said restaurant manager Jessy Brandstetter of the fried strips of alligator. "I've never had anybody say they didn't like it."

Other popular offerings include fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos and chimichangas. Everything on the children's menu is priced at $4.99, including a beverage.

Live entertainment is offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, usually beginning around 7 p.m. and the restaurant has a full bar, specializing in margaritas.

Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Dinner is served 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday. The bar is open until 2 a.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

Casa Maya, Gillette

615 Meyersville Rd., Gillette section of Long Hill Township, tel. 908-580-0799 and 1 Main St., High Bridge, tel. 908-638-4032; www.casamayamexican.com

A neighborhood restaurant with two locations, one in Gillette, and the other in High Bridge.

Casa Maya offers Sonoma-style Mexican cooking. This style is subtly spiced — contrary to the popular belief that Mexican food is very peppery. The restaurant does, however, offer spicy table sauces for its patrons desiring hotter food.

The menu features appetizers, ranging in price from $7.50 for nachos featuring melted cheeses and jalapeno peppers, to $10.95 for Ceviche, tender morsels of shrimp marinated in garlic and lemon with cilantro, peppers, onions and tomato. The menu also features soups and salads.

Popular entrees in the BYOB establishment include Tamales Ranchero for $14.75, Mole Enchiladas for $13.95 and Puerco Guisado, or Mexican stew, made with tender chunks of marinated pork in a rich mole sauce, for $13.75.

In Gillette, the dining room is open from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays. In High Bridge, the hours are the same, except the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant, Dover

29 East Blackwell St., Dover, tel. 973-537-0833.

Called a "hidden gem," by recent guests, El Tapatio is a cozy, authentic Mexican restaurant, offering homemade flavor and reasonable prices.

Popular appetizers include Ceviche, featuring shrimp, tomatoes, onions and cilantro.

The casual dining room seats 60. It offers full table service and is BYOB. Chef and owner Arnulfo Chavec has been serving up delicious fare for 15 years. It's true Mexican, not "Tex-Mex," according to the staff.

Entrees range in price from $12.95 to $21.95. At $21.95, the very popular Molcajece is pricy, but offers a very generous portion, including a side of guacamole, sour cream and a rice tortilla. Appetizers range in price from $6.95 to $12.99.

The restaurant is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Chili Willies Mexican Restaurant, Boonton

702 Main St., Boonton, tel. 973-299-8775 or 973-299-8738; www.chiliwilliesrestaurant.com

Nothing in Chili Willies comes from a can. Traditional Mexican specialties are created using fresh ingredients and family recipes handed down for generations.

The lunch menu features options priced from $9.95 to $11.95 and includes enchiladas, taco platters and Baked Chile Relleno.

For dinner, popular options are the Chorizo Sausage Fajita for $16.95 and the Steak a la Veracruz, which features sautéed mushrooms, onions, garlic and gravy served with rice and beans or fries and salad for $20.95.

The storefront restaurant is decorated in festive Mexican décor and offers full waitress service. No alcohol is served, but patrons love the virgin margaritas.

The dining room is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Dave's Rumba Café, Madison

6 Elmer St., Madison; tel. 973-520-8160; www.davidsrumba.com

Owner David Reyes has been serving up fine Latin and Mexican fare for seven years in 50-seat dining room on a quiet Madison street.

Popular appetizers include Black Bean Soup (Sopa de Frijoles Negro), $3.50 a cup, and Chili Con Carne., $8. Dinners range in price from $8.95 to $16 and include favorites like Bandeja Latina, a Latin dish of grilled beef, rice, beans, avocado, tostones, pico de gallo and chorizo, $14.95.

The charming dining area sparkles with colorful accents like sombreros and ornamental peppers. Elegant lighting and mirrors add charm to the imaginative décor.

Dining hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Got an eatery to recommend? Email Eva Abreu, planning editor, eabreu@GannettNJ.com